Music

You can’t have a Carolina barbecue without live music

Music has always been a key part of Southern culture, evolving initially from the Scotch-Irish music that arrived with the first settlers but then becoming immeasurably enriched by African American music. The combination of the two strands has given us everything from Bluegrass to Honky-Tonk, from Appalachian folk music to the Blues (see the bottom of the page for some background to this music). These genres owe much to the hardships experienced by Southerners: early settlers, African slaves, the deep poverty that followed the American Civil War, and the hard experience of segregation until the late 60s. As with Southern cuisine, poverty and hardship had some beautiful results.

In the days before television and the Internet, many Southern families would entertain themselves by gathering with the neighbours on their front porches in the summer to play and sing. That’s why so many of the old standards are about the hardships they faced or the ups and downs of romance. But because their music was about their real experiences, it came to characterize Southern regionalism as much as their diet and accents. Like almost all folk music, too, it kept alive local memories.

We’re therefore very pleased that Hatful of Rain will be providing live music to conclude the Convivium Festival. Weather permitting (and the one thing we can’t guarantee is Carolina weather in Wales!), we’ll be able to sit, stand or dance amidst the lovely grounds of the Cathedral Close at Brecon Cathedral and enjoy their performance.

Their performance will start in the evening (check back for the time closer to the date). If you don’t want to come to the barbecue, you can still come to their show. Tickets will be available soon.

We also plan to give the stage to local musicians during the barbecue itself. This’ll be a chance for them to entertain people and for us to support the musical talent in and around Brecon.